CresentV

So... it's been quite a while since I've written on DA. I've been heavily involved with the Occupy Los Angeles movement against corruption since it's inception in this city. I've been given a wild array of opportunity to advance my career or connection through out the 9 months I've been raging against disenfranchisement. But I rage in my own ways. And my priorities have long since shifted. I am not considering myself or my advancement within a system I haven't any choice in creating or participating in. I'm not meant to be a careerist. So goes the fate of the artist or anyone who is in opposition with the status quo. I haven't had the time to keep up with my artistic outlets cause I've been organizing and agitating for revolution in this country. Though I recently added some older works into a collaborative zine project called the Los Angeles Queer Resistance Collective or LAQR see here: [www.facebook.com/media/set/?se… The issue is penetrating the apathetic attitude the people in this country have, winning the hearts & minds of the masses to provide a resistance against coercion conformity, as well as the giving way for solutions beyond the ones our government & institutions provide for them. This is not a simple task, it is very much a struggle. The police repression I, as well as other participants within this movement, have faced has quickly radicalized us all to take direct action at any given opportunity and expose all of the corruption propagated by the state. I have created some poster art for events and have been part of a screen printing team that swears by collective liberation through direct action. By all means we do what we can to clothe people with our subversive messages to create a much needed dialogue through out. Being that our print lab is an alternative to the capitalist market, all of our clothing, patches, bandannas, zines, stickers, and posters are free and are often open sourced to share through out the broad public. The lack of ownership as well as anonymity has been liberating and deconstructive for the ego. The People's Print Lab has brought subversive clad & propaganda to many neighboring occupations as well as a few further across the country. We've been archived and spoken in a forum for the Center of Political Graphics and our bandannas have graced the streets of skid row to the cover of time magazine. This movement has created a culture of dissent and wide spread resistance is inevitable. If you've ever had any issue where you've felt unheard, marginalized, violently coerced, or unfulfilled this movement is for you. I will do all I can to reach you through critical intervention by way of art. Deconstruct, question, and challenge the status quo. Another world is possible!

I am very pleased to be in another art show based on our interpretation of the phrase 'Metal Love Birds'. I'm really excited about this particular show because I've never been a part of a unified themed show before.  There's some really great talent involved in this show and if you happen to come across this journal and are in the L.A. County area you should take a gander.  :T

Metal Love Birds

Where: The Ragazzi Room

                2316 South Union Avenue
                Los Angeles, CA 90007
                (213) 741-1723

When: Saturday, September 24, 2011
            7:00pm-10:00pm

Hosted by Juan Cruz and Evelin M. Gonzalez

Artists include: Juan Cruz, Evelin Y. Gonzalez, Chepsoner, Dez, John Watson (will be sharing poetry), Elizabeth Sebastian, Eddie Betts(Thas Me!), and Ankore.

There will be music by DJ Kres, and an art table to make your own ATC's (Art Trading Cards)


p.s. the works will be up for an entire month, so if you can't make the reception there's still a chance to see some of the pieces.

So, I'm in my second art show in my life called A Raer Occasion and it's only been a month since being in my last one. It's strange how that happens. But I'm very grateful for the circumstances that led me to be involved. And to being around and already inspired by some amazing talent. I'm wanting to do some more works before the show and I hope my work that's currently still in the Chain Letter Exhibit is still there and hasn't been stolen or trampled over lol so I can also install that into this upcoming show. My family said the last time they went to Chain Letter they couldn't find my pieces, but it was such a huge several gallery based exhibit that I may have given them poor info on how to find it. I'm so excited to see everyone's work that's going to be involved. It's kinda sounding like this may be an annual thing, so maybe more artist I know can be involved next time around. Hopefully!

I was recently in my first art show. It was pretty exhilarating being a part of the Chain Letter Exhibit. I often felt  I had no significance in the art community or overwhelmed by the amount of creativity and talent trying to be seen, but not actually being seen or having any clout. I need to get out of the habit of marginalizing myself when it comes to my talents. There is no place for ambivalence or uncertainty in the fields I wish to be in. It isn't the uncertainty or ambivalence that I have the talent, but the uncertainty or ambivalence that I can live off of these talents. Like most artists I don't want to be stuck in retail, but I also don't like starving.

I can stand to be alone. I have the capacity to be alone. And work towards doing and being successful at what I want to do without reassurance. I am my own person and will do all I can to help those I know who could use my help. Cause though I have a renowned apathy for sexual relations or relations in general I still have empathy. I say that 'I can do this' because I often hit a spot in my life where I wanna go back to where I recently came from. I tell myself "You can do better when you go back". I always wanna go back, no matter where I go. The excuse is always there. Whether it be loneliness, furthering my studies or my career, I always wanna leave. Ugh, I don't like ever saying I'm lonely cause it goes against everything I believe in, in a way. But I do. It's the type of lonely that comes with me being surrounded by people, but being surrounded by people is not substantial enough to make me feel as though I'm wanted. The love is there, but the want isn't. This isn't just something that's easily solved by getting into a relationship because a dangerous cycle would arise if I looked for complete cures in others. I can do this here without having that feeling that I'm wanted and being a part of any one person or group of people's lives. I must keep my eyes on the prize and endure whatever the fuck I have to. Even if it means I lose touch with the things that meant the most to me. There's that chance I can always rekindle that spark and financially afford to go back whenever I feel like after having success and enduring. But can I afford to lose that chance? Whatever. I'll try not to dwell on these silly feelings, feelings that I have complete control over!